Gerry Harvey, Chairman

Dynamic and famously down-to-earth, Gerry Harvey’s name is synonymous with retail success as co-founder, chairman and major shareholder of the fast-growing Harvey Norman integrated retail, franchise and property group with turnover of over $5 billion.

Harvey began his retailing career in 1961. Harvey Norman now has in excess of 250 franchised complexes throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland and Slovenia.

Harvey Norman’s inventive and modern approach combined with an emphasis on people has proven to be an unbeatable formula -- one that has been applied to Magic Millions with stunning effect.

Since purchasing Magic Millions in 1997, the Gold Coast-based auction house has emerged as one of the world’s most respected and innovative sale companies, successfully consolidating market share in Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania and in Singapore and Malaysia.

With over 1000 horses including some 300 well-bred matrons at his historic Baramul Stud in the NSW Widden Valley, Harvey is among Australia’s biggest and most successful owner-breeders, recently extending his bloodstock portfolio to part-ownership of blue-ribbon stud farm Vinery in the Hunter Valley. In 2008 he took his breeding interests across the Tasman to New Zealand where he purchased Westbury Stud that stands the top class stallions Faltaat and Captain Rio.

Under Harvey’s guidance, the spectacular property Baramul has enjoyed a resurgence as a leading consignor at the Magic Millions sale. In 2007 Baramul topped every session of the Magic Millions with yearlings such as Lot 246 a Redoute’s Choice ex Savannah Success colt that went to Dynamic Syndications for $1 million and Lot 861 a Redoute’s Choice ex Lady Capel colt that was brought by the astute Nathan Tinkler of Patinack Farm for $2.2 million.

Gerry’s love of the thoroughbred also extends to racing. He has at least 120 racehorses in work year round with over 40 top class trainers Australia wide, including David Hayes, Mark Kavanagh, Chris Waller and Mick Price. Group 1 winners Polar Success, Lotteria and Savabeel are among horses Harvey has bred or owned, along with last season’s Group 1 placed two-year-old Solo Flyer.

Harvey’s indefatigable energy has resulted in successful ventures into property development, tourism and beef production, but the retail king particularly relishes being part of the annual action at Magic Millions.

Katie Page-Harvey, Director

Katie Page-Harvey has been a Director of Harvey Norman since 1987 and Chief Executive Officer since she started with the company in 1983 and  has been instrumental in the growth of the company now retailing in 7 countries.

Page and Gerry Harvey, who have been married for over 20 years, are described as the most successful husband and wife retailing team in the world. Both have earned a reputation as a practical, dynamic business union. There are now 250 Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne franchised complexes throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, Malaysia, Slovenia and Northern Ireland.

In 2005 Page-Harvey was appointed to the board of the National Rugby League. Her appointment here made history, as she was the first woman to become a member of a major sporting board in Australia. She joined the NRL simply because she has a love of Rugby League and has used her position here to encourage the role of women in the game. Each year Harvey Norman grants two Women in League awards that aim to recognise the tireless work that women dedicate to the game. Katie Page-Harvey has also served as a Director of Rebel Sport Limited and is currently a Director of Pertama Holdings Limited Singapore.

Ten years ago Page became a proprietor of Magic Millions – owning 25% of the company. Her influence behind the event has become more and more apparent over recent years.

John Singleton, Director

John Singleton was the founding shareholder and a prior director of STW Communications Group Limited (STW), a publicly listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange..

John Singleton is the major shareholder of the Macquarie Radio network – which operates Radio 2GB and Radio 2CH in Sydney. John is also a Director and a major shareholder of the Magic Millions Group and Pleasure State Group, Australia’s leading lingerie manufacturer and exporter.

John Singleton has served on the Board of John Fairfax Holdings Limited, the Sydney Opera House and Television and Telecasters Limited (Channel 10). He was also a member of the Australian Olympic Committee for 2000 and the Chairman of The Commonwealth Games Committee for 1998.

John Singleton was awarded the Order of Australia in 1994 for service to the community through personal support and fundraising activities for charitable, sporting and research organisations and was also awarded the Australian Olympic Committee, Prime Ministers Sports medal in 2000.

Singleton’s famous zest for life gains full expression through his considerable bloodstock interests as owner of boutique Mt White property Strawberry Hill and part-owner of Vinery Stud in the Segenhoe Valley in NSW.

His passion for horses – whether standing in the paddock admiring his mares such as Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel or celebrating a victory in the winner’s enclosure – is unmistakable.

Currently the stars of Singleton’s racing team are Tuesday Joy, recently named NSW Horse of the year and winner last year of the GR1 BMW & Ranvet S and Sugar Babe, a 3yo filly sold at Magic Millions by Strawberry Hill. John bought back into the filly before the Golden Slipper.

John has also raced Ha Ha & Belle du Jour, both winners of the Golden Slipper & bought from Magic Millions, and has won the Magic Millions with Ha Ha, Mirror Mirror, & Tippitaka. John also raced Fashions Afield, Champion Aust. 2yo, with Gerry Harvey.

John's current broodmare band includes

Ha Ha - Golden Slipper Winner
Fashions Afield - Champion 2yo
Joie Denise - Oaks winner. Champion Broodmare.
Zagalia - Oaks winner
They Say - Dam of Champion 2yo Hasna.
Victory Vein - Champion 2yo
Universal Queen - GR1 winner Robert Sangster S
Sunday Joy - Oaks winner
Ruby Clipper - GR1 Winner in South Africa.

He has enjoyed success at racing’s elite level with fillies including Sunday Joy, Belle du Jour, Ha Ha, and, earlier, the international star Strawberry Road.

Singleton has been instrumental in the growth of Magic Millions as a major Queensland event and one that attracts an increasing number of visitors from abroad. He once described the carnival as “the Melbourne Cup in shorts”.

Rob Ferguson, Director

Rob Ferguson is perceived as the quiet third element of a high-profile triumvirate, but the accomplished executive reveals he thrives best in “a buzzy, active environment” and his role in the continued growth and robust position of Magic Millions cannot be under-estimated.

"I like having my teeth into something I can focus on," he has said. "I work better when I'm driven by a need to perform for the group - the whole team thing."

Appointed executive chairman of litigation funding group IMF Australia in June 2007, Ferguson has served with distinction on the boards of Vodafone Australia and Westfield Holding.

Ferguson’s brief at IMF is to review the potential of IMF to expand its business in litigation funding activities in Australia and offshore and to review diversification opportunities.

Ferguson joined Banker’s Trust in 1972 and held the position of chairman from 1985 to 1999.

Ferguson’s racing interests extend to being a director on Racing NSW. He is a successful consignor of Group 1 horses such as Nick’s Joy and has enjoyed success at the highest pinnacle as part-owner of the 2001 Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha.

Ferguson holds an Honours Degree in Economics from Sydney University and is a Fellow of the Securities Institute of Australia.

He is also deputy chairman of The Sydney Institute.